NSSA History (1988-1991)

1988

The National Swim School
Association, Inc. was founded Sept. 12, 1988 to provide a trade association for
those who operate swimming school businesses in the United States.

Steve Graves, then a swim school owner
in Florida, founded NSSA by arranging for incorporation, preparing
membership solicitation materials, and a newsletter for mailing to a
prospective members. He selected an initial board of directors.

By years end 36 schools joined as
Charter Members.

1989

In January, 1989 the first of
what would become regular surveys of members was conducted on business and
teaching practices. In April the first NSSA conference was
held in Fullerton, Calif. There was a tour of nearby schools one day
and classroom presentations the next.

Those meeting in Fullerton wanted to
meet again in September to discuss infant-toddler aquatic programs and
draft guidelines for such. The two-day event was held in Sonoma,
Calif.

By December 1989 60 schools had become
NSSA members.

1990

An outcome of the Sonoma
event was the appointment of a task force to prepare a NSSA Certified
Infant Toddler Swim Teacher Course.

The 2nd annual conference was held in
February 1990 in Orlando. The three-day event included domestic as
well as international speakers. At that time the NSSA board agreed
to create an associate international membership. Annual awards were
given to outstanding members for the first time.

The membership decided in Orlando to
have the annual conference during the fall of each year to allow enough
time to implement the ideas and knowledge gained. Another conference
was held the same year in San Diego to initiate the new cycle.

The San Diego conference included
speakers from the U.S., from other countries, and from the medical
field. A tour of schools was held at the start of the event.
An induction ceremony was held for six individuals brought into the newly
created National Swim School Hall of Fame.

1991

Over 100 members participated
in the 4th NSSA conference held in San Mateo, Calif. in the fall of
1991.

Positions on the Board were expanded to
include three at-large members, one of whom would be from an international
member school. By year's end 85 domestic schools held membership
along with 8 international.